It is a widely held belief for numerous people that jointly caring for a pet following a split is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such setups prevent ex-partners from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and become annoying for everyone involved. Apparently, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the mental health of dogs – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. If you need masterclass in pet despair, one need only look a past film. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adapting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a full holiday film on this conflict works effectively is debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be anything more than a light film. We have here a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. Its storyline proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Side characters – including a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow surrounding green trees as a warm climate stands in for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
If these familiar elements merge into something enjoyable rests upon the execution and an acceptance of comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. The film delivers a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the dog, and though it results in some awkward editing between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, dog depression, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone vacillates between emotional depth, broad humor, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that supplies much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna can feel a bit too dry, especially when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, the canine performer is convincing at acting depressed – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to add substance to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, considering Merv is easily the best part of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The reason for their original breakup might seem more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting has potential – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video this December.
